Big Second Half Prolongs Win StreakAfter battling to a 6-4 halftime lead against first-year program High Point Friday night, the Blue Devils scored eight unanswered and 11 of the game’s final 13 goals to come away with a 17-6 win over the Panthers. David Lawson and Josh Dionne both registered three goals apiece, while rookie Case Matheis chipped in two scores and three assists for five points. Brendan Fowler again was outstanding at the X, winning 15-of-18 faceoffs and picking up eight ground balls. Three goalies – Kyle Turri, Luke Aaron and Ben Krebs – all saw action between the pipes, combining for 12 saves on 18 shots on goal. The starting close defense had five caused turnovers and six ground balls as it held the Panthers to 16 shots in the final two quarters. Luke Duprey was outstanding yet again with five ground balls and two caused turnovers.

From One Streak to AnotherDuke enters the ACC finale against rival Virginia looking to extend a pair of seven-game win streaks. The Blue Devils have won seven straight this season and are winners in seven consecutive regular season games against Virginia. The last time Duke lost to the Cavaliers during the regular season was a 13-4 loss on April 17, 2004. Overall, Duke has won 12 of the previous 13 meetings with Virginia, including 11-of-12 under head coach John Danowski. The Blue Devils’ last overall loss to the Cavaliers was in the ACC semifinal on April 23, 2010.

Reaching the Perfect 10The Blue Devils have scored at least 10 goals in each of their past six outings and have held opponents to fewer than 10 scores in five of the previous seven outings. Overall, Duke is 8-1 this season when notching double-digit goals. Since 2007, Duke is 92-6 when scoring at least 10 goals in a game and is 11-22 when being held to fewer than 10 scores. The Blue Devils are 24-22 when allowing 10-plus goals in a contest and is 78-6 when holding opponents under 10 goals.

Case Matheis Scoring in BunchesSince cracking the starting lineup March 2 against Maryland, rookie attackman Case Matheis has netted 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points. The Darien, Conn., native most recently posted five points from two goals and three assists in the win over High Point. Overall, Matheis has registered at least two points in each of the previous seven outings and has five-plus points in three of those. He registered a career-best six points (3g, 3a) against Marist.

The First RPI Rankings ReleasedThe first Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) was released the NCAA this week. Duke landed in the No. 6 spot, joining ACC programs Maryland and North Carolina among the top six. Notre Dame earned the top spot with a 5-2 record against top-20 teams in the RPI. Overall, Duke’s four losses have come against the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 programs in the rankings.

1. Notre Dame2. Denver3. Penn4. Maryland5. North Carolina6. Duke

Breaking Down the Virginia GameThe Blue Devils will play their final regular season home game of the year against ACC rival Virginia Friday night on ESPNU. Duke, ranked seventh in the latest USILA poll, is riding a seven-game win streak and looking to capture at least a share of the ACC regular season title for the 10th time in program history and for the sixth time under Danowski. Virginia is on the other end of the spectrum, having lost five straight for the first time since 1966. The Cavaliers enter the weekend unranked, the first time Virginia has been unranked when facing Duke since 1987.